Sensory Science: Measuring the Senses
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Sensory Science: Measuring the Senses
This course is part of Essentials of Sensory Science Specialization
Instructor: Rebecca Bleibaum
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There are 4 modules in this course
The brain is the most sophisticated sensory interpreter that we know of. Our brain is like a very powerful computer, but no engineered computer exists that can mimic our human sensory capabilities. This course will explore sensory science by examining how the senses are connected to the brain and how the brain makes meaning of the signals it receives. Various types of testing, scales, and measurements are described that allow scientists to quantify senses and the brain’s experience of senses. Through this course, you will learn to employ scientific approaches such as discrimination testing and Thurstonian Modeling to measure the senses.
In this module, we will dive into the senses and the brain and discuss tricks the senses may play. We will then discuss the mind and how information is processed. We’ll finish up this module with the Theory of Sensory Measurement and Psychophysics. There is also an optional podcast conversation with Dr. Martin Kern. Let’s get started.
What's included
7 videos2 readings1 assignment3 discussion prompts
7 videos•Total 44 minutes
- Course Introduction•3 minutes
- Module Introduction•1 minute
- Tricks: The Senses and the Brain, Part 1•6 minutes
- Tricks: The Senses and the Brain, Part 2•13 minutes
- The Mind•3 minutes
- Basic Unit of Sensory Systems: The Neuron•7 minutes
- Theory of Sensory Measurements/Psychophysics•11 minutes
2 readings•Total 42 minutes
- Course Navigation and Safety Statement•1 minute
- (Optional) Podcast: A Conversation with Dr. Martin Kern•41 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Module 1 Quiz•30 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 50 minutes
- Learning Goals•10 minutes
- (Optional Forum) Podcast: Dr. Martin Kern•10 minutes
- Senses and the Brain•30 minutes
What is happening cognitively when we do scaling? In this module, we will review what scaling is, the purpose, and methods of scaling. We’ll wrap up this module with a discussion on the different types of scales, including ordinal scales, quantitative scales, interval scales, and analysis. Let’s begin.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment
5 videos•Total 33 minutes
- Module Introduction•3 minutes
- Purpose of Scaling and Criteria for Scale Choice•10 minutes
- Different Types of Scales•9 minutes
- Ordinal Scales•7 minutes
- Quantitative Scales, Interval Scales and Analysis•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Module 2 Quiz•15 minutes
In this module, we will continue our discussion on scales and measurements. We will also discuss methods of scaling and ranking and review other types of scales, such as Hedonic scales, Label Affective Magnitude, Just-About-Right, and other scales of interest. Let's begin.
What's included
5 videos4 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
5 videos•Total 30 minutes
- Methods of Scaling and Ranking: Ratio Scales•6 minutes
- Hedonic Scales: The 9-Point Hedonic Scale•8 minutes
- Hedonic Scales: Testing with Children•4 minutes
- Labeled Affective Magnitude (LAM) and Just-About-Right (JAR) Scales•7 minutes
- Check-All-That-Apply and Other Scales of Interest•7 minutes
4 readings•Total 195 minutes
- A Labeled Affective Magnitude (LAM) Scale for Assessing Food Like/Disliking•75 minutes
- A Food Action Rating Scale for Measuring Food Acceptance•40 minutes
- Appropriateness of the Cognitive-Contextual Aspects of Food Acceptance•50 minutes
- A Comparison of Sensory Difference Testing Procedures•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Module 3 Quiz•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 15 minutes
- Acceptance Testing•15 minutes
Why do some people perform better on tests than others? In this final module, we will end our discussion with an overview of discrimination testing methods. We'll also take a closer look at discrimination tests and response bias - and how to avoid it. We'll move on to Thurstonian Modeling and finish up with an optional podcast conversation with Lori Rothman. Let's begin.
What's included
7 videos3 readings1 assignment3 discussion prompts
7 videos•Total 42 minutes
- Module Introduction•3 minutes
- Overview of Discrimination Testing Methods•9 minutes
- A Closer Look at Discrimination Tests•8 minutes
- Response Bias and How to Avoid It•8 minutes
- Why People Perform Better on Some Tests Than Others•6 minutes
- Thurstonian Modeling•7 minutes
- Course Summary•2 minutes
3 readings•Total 101 minutes
- (Optional) Podcast: A Conversation with Lori Rothman•56 minutes
- Relative Power of Difference Testing Methods in Sensory Evaluation•15 minutes
- Quantification of Sensory and Food Quality: The R-Index Analysis•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Module 4 Quiz•30 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 40 minutes
- (Optional Forum) Podcast: Lori Rothman•10 minutes
- Discrimination Testing•20 minutes
- Self-Reflection•10 minutes
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